Journalists And Govt. Officials In Near Confrontation

Some panellists of JOYFMs news analysis programme, NEWSFILE, last Saturday, were confronted by some government officials who could not contain their comments on the Governments controversial crude oil lifting deal with Sahara Energy Limited.

Another issue, which drew the anger of the officials was the civil works taking place at the Presidents private residence. Panellists on the weekly programme, normally analyse issues that made news in the week and in the process debate the facts behind the publication of news items.


The confrontation nearly degenerated into the trading of blows, between a Presidential Staffer, Victor Newman, and the Editor of an Independent Ghanaian Newspaper, The Weekly Insight, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. He had questioned Energy Minister, Albert Kan Dapaahs explanation on the Sahara oil contract and saying a lot of questions remained unanswered.


On the renovation works at the Presidents residence, Mr. Pratt and Joojo Bruce Quansah, editor of the palaver, another Independent Ghanaian Newspaper, disagreed with the Position by the Works and Housing Minister, Kwamena Bartels that the identity of the contractors cannot be disclosed for security reasons.


Moments before the programme came to an end, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong rushed to the studios of JOYFM and demanded to be allowed to make a rejoinder to what he described as misleading statements by members of the panel.

When he was told to put the rejoinder into writing, he refused and left the studios. Kwabena who arrived in the company of Mr. Victor Newman and Mr. Awuni, a special assistant to the Vice President waited outside the offices of JOYFM with the intention of confronting the panelists.


Immediately, the panelists came out of the studio, Mr. Newman confronted Mr. Pratt and branded him a mad and stupid person. He also insulted the other panellists and asked Joojo Quansah whose paper is pro-NDC what his government was able to do for Ghana during its 20 year reign .


He then pointed his fingers at Kwesi Pratt amidst threats during which Kwesi Pratt slapped his arms off his face. The timely intervention of other panelists including the host, Sonny Decker prevented the two from fighting.